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Abies firma - Siebold.&Zucc.

Common Name

Momi Fir, Japanese Fir

Family

Pinaceae

Synonyms

A. bifida. A. momi.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Hills and mountains, C.& S. Japan[58].

Range

E. Asia - S. Japan

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Form: Columnar, Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Abies firma is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen from Oct to November. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind.

Landscape Uses:Christmas tree, Pest tolerant, Screen, Specimen. Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[81]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. Prefers slightly acid conditions, down to a pH of about 5[200]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[200]. New growth of the side shoots starts in April and this is very susceptible to damage by late frosts[11, 185]. The terminal buds do not open until mid-May and usually escape damage[185]. Trees are fairly fast growing when young, sending up new growth of 60cm a year from the age of about 6 years[185]. Side shoots grow with equal vigour, however and the tree often loses apical dominance[185]. Trees grow best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland[11]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[200]. The flowers are produced in axils of the previous year's shoots[275]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[200]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, There are no flowers or blooms.

Propagation

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[78]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[78]. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[80, 113]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[113]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[78] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[80].

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[58]Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation)

The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[80]McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed.

Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.

[81]Rushforth. K. Conifers.

Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.

[105]Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World.

The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[185]Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles.

A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[275] Flora of Japan

An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.

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